If you asked me about Turtle Beach five years ago, I would have told you that they were a decent maker of audio peripherals. Nothing they produced stood out to me. But that changed with the release of its Ear Force PX5. Those set of cans and all the tech the company packed in them put the maker of audio devices on the map.

More than a year later, what does the company do for an encore?

They’re releasing a new line of headsets forCall of Duty: Black Ops 2, but unlike last year’s versions, they aren’t just branded editions with a few tweaks here and there. The two flagship headsets they’re releasing — Sierra and Tango — come fully loaded with some of the company’s latest tech.

A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT: Taking a look at the Tango model, it’s the one that most resembles the Ear Force PX5. It has all the same features that users have come to expect. It has dual Bluetooth so that it can connect to a PlayStation 3 and a smartphone so that you can answer a call while playing a game or listen to your own music while fragging foes. The surround sound is still exquisite and clear.

What sets this edition apart though is that it has a better build quality. It has a nice leatherette on the earpads and threading on the headset. From afar, it looks more expensive and putting it on your head its more comfortable, judging by my time previewing the device. It also has more choices when it comes to voice prompts. Players can choose from eight characters to call out what mode you’re using and if your battery is running low.

But the biggest improvement and most useful feature is that the Tango boasts a dual-band WiFi chipset. That essentially eliminates the clicks and pops that occasionally crackled into the PX5 headsets. The technology means that the device can go back and forth between two ranges so that it works even if you live in a house full of wireless signals.

The other minor improvements over the previous Call of Duty headsets are a rechargeable battery and the change of emphasis on thepresets. The Tangos will come installed with neutral settings that work for a variety of situations be it movie watching or music listening. Users can update to get Treyarch’s game-specific presets and the aforementioned signature voice prompts.

BUILT FOR TOURNAMENTS: The more intriguing of the two models is the Sierra. It’s based off Turtle Beach’s upcoming XP 7 tournament model. This is the headset to get if you’re into professional play. Unlike the Tango, it’s wired and comes with a Control Unit, which is basically Turtle Beach’s version of a Astro Gaming’s MixAmp.

But the difference is that the Control Unit is a MixAmp on anabolic steroids. It is a powerful device that’s capable of manipulating almost any sound from the microphone or game. Players can switch among the eight presets on the fly. They can tweak the chat volume and game volume separately. They can change the position of the virtual surround sound speakers in the headset.

It’s a ridiculous amount of customization, but that’s something that competitive players crave when they’re seeking every possible edge.

As for the sound, it’s better on the Sierra because A) it’s wired and B) Turtle Beach added more noise-canceling cushioning to the earpads. Put them on and it’s dead quiet like a pair of earmuffs. If that weren’t enough, the company did add customizable tags so that players can add their own touch to the headsets design. If they don’t like the Call of Duty plates, they can switch it out for something else. The mic is also removeable making this wearable outside of tournament play. The headset itself won’t turn heads, but it’s the sound that matters.

These also happen to be the latest models of Turtle Beach’s headsets. For those looking for a nonbranded version of both, they’ll have to wait until next year.

BONUS POINTS
So for those curious about those Call of Duty: Black Op 2s presets, I tried each one out. They are the following: aggressive, air, bright, clarity and power, clarity, clear punch, sharp and scoop. I used them while playing three maps: Cargo, Hijacked and Yemen. Out of the eight, my favorite was clarity and power and scoop.

With clarity and power, it sounds like you’re fighting in a wind tunnel. Noises are airy and it seems easier to locate people via gunfire. At the same time, the bass is there for the explosions giving players a rich sound. Scoop is almost like the opposite. It sounds as though everything has been leveled out. The audio is turned down and it makes it easier, it seems, to hear gunshots off in the distance.